LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to introduce a new, stricter law to curb gangsterism, extortion, and organized crime, replacing the decades-old Ghunda Act of 1959.
According to official sources, the provincial cabinet has approved the proposed legislation, which is expected to be presented in the Punjab Assembly soon for formal enactment.
Under the new law, habitual offenders will be declared “anti-social persons,” while District Intelligence Committees will be empowered to identify and designate suspected individuals involved in criminal activities.
The proposed legislation includes harsher penalties, with initial offenses punishable by three to five years of imprisonment. Repeat offenders could face up to seven years in prison along with fines of up to Rs2 million.
Law enforcement agencies will also be granted expanded powers, including the authority to freeze bank accounts and block national identity cards of suspects. Additionally, police will be equipped with modern electronic surveillance tools to monitor criminal activities.
The law aims to bring a wide range of offenses under its scope, including aerial firing, display of weapons, land grabbing, cybercrime, and harassment.
Officials say the primary objective of the new legislation is to strengthen law and order across the province and ensure effective action against professional criminal elements.
Following approval by the provincial cabinet, the bill is likely to be tabled in the Punjab Assembly in the coming days, after which it will be implemented upon passage.
